2017 saw Ernst working on a commission for the Yarra Ranges Council. A large sculpture in Stainless steel and featuring glass will be installed at Wandin North in November.

During 2014 Ernst created several new sculptures for his Retrospective and Current exhibition.

This survey exhibition is the first time Australian audiences are able to view Fries’ sculptural œuvre in its entirety. Spanning six decades from the 1960s to the present, the exhibition highlights the recurring themes of urbanization, and the associated environmental issues that impact nature - ideas that resonate at a local as well as universal level. (Caroline Moes - catalogue available from gallery)

Reciprocal interaction (above)

Wind Cube (right) 6m tall

photographs Terence Bogue

For much of 2013 Ernst worked on a commission for the Yarra Ranges Council for a Black Saturday Bush Fire Memorial. Three concrete and glass panels and a bronze plaque explaining the event, were installed at McKenzie Reserve in Yarra Glen and unveiled on Monday 25 November 2013. During construction of the panels Ernst was assisted by artist, Janine Tanzer.